Every team has a story

Not Bad Thanks is the stranger-than-fiction tale of a grass-roots basketball team’s refusal to let power struggles, tragic events, media scrutiny and lack of skill hinder their climb from the bottom of a city league. Spurred on by run-ins with the Harlem Globetrotters, Makybe Diva and a fugitive train robber, the dysfunctional group of blokes discover just how far the Australian traits of mateship and sporting obsession can take you.

The Author (Captain-For-Life)

Graeme Willingham’s first book is a creative merging of fact and fiction. Graeme feels he has been writing forever… as a journalist on regional and metropolitan newspapers in Victoria, news editor of a business weekly in London, Australian correspondent for several other UK publications, a public relations communicator and occasional travel writer.

His life in joining words began in Year 12 at Camperdown High School in Victoria’s south-west. During Monday-morning library time he’d write a report for local paper The Chronicle about his Under-18 football team; every member of the team in the prose, not just the customary standout players. Soon he was on-staff reporting on the senior game, in which he played as a winger, as well as his games with the local Yellowbellies basketball team.

"Although this is a fascinating example of camaraderie, humour and perseverance, it is also a fine description of Australian culture, of mateship, history and lifestyle."

Lindsay Gaze, Australian basketball legend

“A must read for all sportspeople — professional to Weekend Warriors.”

Chris Antsey, Australian basketball legend

“A really fun read by Graeme Willingham …about the joy of community sport.”

Richard Hinds, ABC Sports

“It’s fabulous! Graeme’s done a great job with this.”

Gerard Whateley, SEN 1116

“A ripper read … sometimes absolutely hilarious; sometimes, quite moving.”

Chris Ryan, 3AW Macquarie Media

“This is a life journey, through a basketball club … a great read.”

Alan Hickey, 5AA Adelaide

“Love the book, not only because it’s well written, but also because it’s about things we don’t normally read about … all of us just actually having fun in a local sporting club.”

Rafael Epstein, ABC Melbourne